New Yorkers Continue to Report High Levels of Stress

NEW YORK, Nov. 3 While fewer New Yorkers this year report that work, money and the economy cause significant stress in their lives, their levels of stress remain considerably high. More than 50 percent of city residents continue to be stressed by one or more of these sources, a cause of concern for psychologists who worry about the effects of long-term stress and how it can contribute to chronic health disorders.

In a survey released today by the American Psychological Association (APA), about three-quarters (74 percent) of New Yorkers surveyed cited work as a significant source of stress. About three in ten (29 percent) of those surveyed rated their average stress levels as an 8, 9 or 10 on a 10-point scale. Almost half said their stress has stayed the same over the past year, a finding that is also consistent with last year's survey (43 percent in 2009 and 47 percent in 2008). More working New Yorkers in 2009 reported feeling tense or stressed during the work day than last year (47 percent vs. 44 percent).

These high and long-lasting levels of stress can contribute to serious physical health problems. Diabetes, heart disease, obesity and high blood pressure are just a few of the diseases linked to chronic stress. In the APA survey, fewer New York City residents said they have been told by a health provider that they have a chronic condition than in the rest of the country (62 percent vs. 66 percent nationally). New York City residents report lower figures than the rest of the nation on high blood pressure (21 percent in New York City vs. 30 percent nationally), depression (11 percent in New York City vs. 17 percent nationally), and chronic pain (6 percent in New York City vs. 11 percent nationally).

Furthermore, fewer residents this year reported physical symptoms caused by stress. For example, the number of New Yorkers who said they felt irritable or angry dropped 8 points (47 percent in 2009 from 55 percent in 2008) and fewer residents are feeling fatigue (39 percent in 2009 vs. 57 percent in 2008) and experiencing headaches (29 percent in 2009 vs. 49 percent in 2008). However, more New Yorkers are drinking alcohol to relieve stress (25 percent in 2009 vs. 20 percent in 2008).

"The good news for the region is that fewer people this year are reporting money, the economy, relationships, and health problems, among other things, as significant stressors. But with so many of us still so stressed -- that's alarming," said Manhattan-based psychologist Dr. Karina Davidson. "When stress is ignored or managed in unhealthy ways, it will most likely lead to further health problems. This is why it's crucial for people to pay attention to their stress levels and do something about it."

APA's annual survey reveals that nationally, nearly a quarter (24 percent) of adults reported experiencing high levels of stress, and half (51 percent) reported moderate stress levels in 2009. Many Americans continued to report that they rely on sedentary activities and unhealthy behaviors to manage their stress (49 percent listen to music, 41 percent read and 36 percent watch television or movies).

Among Americans who received lifestyle change recommendations from a health care provider, few reported that their health care provider offered support to help them make lasting changes -- only 46 percent were given an explanation for lifestyle change recommendations; only 35 percent were offered advice or shown techniques to help make changes; and only 5-10 percent were referred to another health care provider to support the adoption of lifestyle changes. In general, people cited a number of barriers in their efforts to make lasting lifestyle and behavior changes -- lack of willpower (33 percent); not enough time (20 percent); and lack of confidence (14 percent). More than one in ten people cited stress as the barrier preventing them from making lifestyle and behavior changes (14 percent of adults reported they are too stressed to make these changes).

Similar to the rest of the nation, nearly one-third of New Yorkers (30 percent) said they were prevented from following through with lifestyle change recommendations due to a lack of willpower. And 16 percent of those in New York City (vs. 14 percent nationally) said they were too stressed to follow through with lifestyle change recommendations.

The American Psychological Association offers these tips to help manage chronic stress:

Methodology

The 2009 Stress in America research was conducted online within the United States by Harris Interactive on behalf of the American Psychological Association between July 21, 2009 and August 4, 2009 among 1,568 adults aged 18+ who reside in the U.S. and an oversample of 208 adults aged 18+ who reside in New York City. In the 2008 research, 228 NYC residents were included in the oversample. No estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated; a full methodology is available.

The American Psychological Association, in Washington, D.C., is the largest scientific and professional organization representing psychology in the United States and is the world's largest association of psychologists. APA's membership includes more than 150,000 researchers, educators, clinicians, consultants and students. Through its divisions in 54 subfields of psychology and affiliations with 60 state, territorial and Canadian provincial associations, APA works to advance psychology as a science, as a profession and as a means of promoting health, education and human welfare.

Harris Interactive is a global leader in custom market research. With a long and rich history in multimodal research that is powered by our science and technology, we assist clients in achieving business results. Harris Interactive serves clients globally through its North American, European and Asian offices and a network of independent market research firms. For more information, please visit www.harrisinteractive.com.

-- Set limits. List all of the projects and commitments that are making you feel overwhelmed. Identify those things that you absolutely must do in order to survive. Cut back on anything non-essential. -- Tap into your support system. Reach out to a close friend and/or relative. Let them know you are having a tough time and accept their support and guidance. There is no need to face challenging life circumstances alone. -- Make one health-related commitment. One small step like cutting back on your caffeine consumption can have a positive effect. Studies show that without caffeine, people report feeling more relaxed, sleeping better and having more energy. Regular aerobic exercise, such as taking a brisk walk, can all lessen your anxiety and reduce your stress. -- Strive for a positive outlook. Looking at situations more positively, seeing problems as opportunities, having realistic expectations, and refuting negative thoughts are all important aspects of staying positive and trying to minimize your stress. -- Seek additional help. If feelings of chronic stress persist, or you are experiencing hopelessness or trouble getting through your daily routine, seek consultation with a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist. Psychologists are trained to help you develop strategies to manage stress effectively and make behavioral changes to help improve your overall health. For additional information on managing stress, visit www.apahelpcenter.org.

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